Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-23
A ROUND UP,
Blizzard skips and Business Resumes-Ih'
Holiday Trade.

The Wichita & Western got through the
snow drifts yesterday the first train leav-
ing last night The most trouble was ex-
perienced near Derby The line is now
ready for business.
The other roads were working along
smoothly yesterday with no trouble except
in some instances behind time
The weather moderated yesterday leay-
ing only traces of the blizzard. 1t was a
warm sun and took away considerable
snow The wind came gently from the
south and of a much more enjoyable tenn
perature than for some days.
As result of the let up of the cold snap
work was commenced yesterday with in
creased energy. The few days layoff
seemed to impart new life ana vigor to the
builders. The hammers fell more rapidly
than before and the many contractors in
tend TO work as many hands as possible
hoping to complete buildings before an
other blizzard. Many Of the buildings
are receiving the finishing touches while
others will keep workmen for two or three
weeks, and Of course it is not hoped to
complete some of them for months. Those
so near completion will receive more than
ordinary attention hoping to get them
ready for occupancy as early as possible.
From what can be learned, it seems that
there is not a building in the city half
completed that is not already rented, with
some business waiting to be started. The
delay in completion delays rent and bust
ness, and hence the reason for rushing the
work Many of the buildings not half
completed have been rented and men with
business enterprises are waiting impa-
tiently for the finish.
The carpenter work on the opera house
was completed yesterday, and the
plumbers now have the building in hand
They will be through in few days and
large force of plasterers wilfappear. 1t is
intended to rush work as fast as possible.
Some of the furniture is expected to ar
rive in few days The scenery is COM
pleted and can be shipped as soon as
needed.
The ladies were out shopping in such
numbers that one was heard to exclaim:
Il would have known it was nearing
Christmas if | had just walked from a
twenty years nap" The streets were
crowded and the merchants wearing smiles
that were quite noticeable. Of
course that meant that they were busy
and happy over the situation. In
speaking to one of them on the subject of
this years Christmas purchases, he said !:
II have been in business in Wichita a
number of years, and l have each year OBJ
served that the people buy more costly and
elegant presents. OF course the number
increase, but the most conspicuous part of
it is that each years trade demands bet
l.
here who does anything with holiday
goods or any other for that matter, must
keep lettering the class of goods in his es
tablishment, or he will most assuredly get
left. People last year spent lots
OF money on presents, and bought
very fine ones, but let me
tell you that they did not buy more nor
spend as much money or buy the fine class
of goods as they are this year. venture to
say that Wichita business men dealing
with the Christmas trade are compelled to
buy the best class of goods kept in the
state and no better sold in Kansas City
OF course they sell more of them there but
the purchasers here think just as much of
their friends as the people in any city and
they have the money to buy what they
wish You can jot it down as solid fact
that eastern people with friends in
Wichita, will get the finest presents in the
land"
Another gentleman was heard speak of
the holiday buying, and his opinion coin
cided with the one quoted. He added:
NO one has as good a chance to observe
the ability OF buyers as men doing bust
ness in my line which is most effected by
holidays. As rule ladies are the best
buyers, and of course they know more
about what to buy than their husbands
or brothers. If they want a present for
some one they know exactly what will
please that one, and can get it you bet
at about the lowest figure. They can get
more good out of dollar than most men
can get out of ten"